Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Spell Check Not Working in Microsoft 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is experiencing an issue where spell check and text correction suggestions are failing to operate in Microsoft 365, despite having the related application settings enabled.

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a text document that requires automatic proofreading and spelling error suggestions.
Observed behavior: Spell check and correction suggestions do not trigger, underline, or highlight errors, even when standard proofing settings appear to be turned on.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft 365 application is fully updated and restart the program before modifying your proofing options, as a simple reboot can often resolve background service glitches.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' Exception

Often, specific text or documents have a hidden formatting rule applied that prevents the spell checker from reviewing them.

When text is copied from other sources or heavily formatted, it can inherit an attribute that instructs Word to ignore it during spell check. Removing this attribute is the most common fix.

Select All Text

Press the Ctrl + A keys on your keyboard to select all the text in your current document.

Open Language Settings

Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon, click on 'Language', and then select 'Set Proofing Language'.

Uncheck the Exception Box

In the dialog box that appears, look for the checkbox that says 'Do not check spelling or grammar'. Click it until the box is completely empty (not filled with a solid square or checkmark), then click 'OK'.

Selection Tip: Make sure you have highlighted the specific text experiencing the issue before unchecking the box, otherwise the rule will not be updated for the problematic paragraphs.

Solution 2

Verify Global Proofing Settings

Confirm that automatic spell checking is actively enabled in the main Microsoft 365 options menu.

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1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing document seamlessly.
3. Run Spell Check: Navigate to the 'Review' tab and click 'Spell Check' to instantly proofread your text.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the spell check button grayed out in Microsoft 365?

This usually happens if your document is restricted for editing, if you are viewing it in Read Mode, or if the correct proofing language pack is not installed on your computer. Try switching to Print Layout or checking your editing permissions.

How do I add a new proofing language in Microsoft 365?

Go to File > Options > Language. Under the 'Office authoring languages and proofing' section, click 'Add a Language', select your desired language from the list, and ensure the proofing tools are fully downloaded.

Can copying and pasting text from the internet break the spell check feature?

Yes. When you paste text from the web, it frequently carries over original HTML formatting tags. This might include a hidden 'Do not check spelling or grammar' rule. Highlighting the text and clearing this setting will restore normal spell checking.

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